Razor

ABSTRACT

A shaving device that defines an arcuate outer surface to be engaged between a pair of digits. Manipulation between the digits provides precise finger-tip control of the pitch, angle and pressure applied the fixed or replaceable shaving blades.

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation of U.S. divisional patent application Ser. No.10/322,558, filed Dec. 17, 2002, which is a divisional of U.S.continuation-in-part patent application Ser. No. 10/023,000, filed Dec.17, 2001 which issued Feb. 24, 2004 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,626, which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/603,816,filed Jun. 23, 2000 which issued Dec. 17, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No.6,493,950.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

The invention relates to shaving razors. More particularly, theinvention relates to an improved razor with a handle rotatable about auser's finger.

2. Background

Razors for shaving, both disposable razors and cartridge systems, arewell known in the art. A commonality found in the prior art is theelongated handle, it may be wide, it may be narrow and it is oftensurfaced for better gripping, but the razor head, whether it be single,dual or triple blades is supported on an elongated substantiallystick-like member such as those illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,016issued to Nissen and U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,824 issued to Ferraro.

Dual headed razors are found in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,328 issuedto Sokoloff, teaches a full sized blade coupled with a reduced sizetrimming blade, mounted opposite each other for easy access. TheSokoloff razor is not a bi-directional device. A push-pullbi-directional razor for shaving is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,189issued to which has a pair of mirror image blades affixed to a stickhandle and describes a method of pushing and pulling the blades againstones skin by moving the handle in one direction and then another.Pushing a razor blade at the end of a stick handle up and against onesface allows for bi-directional use, but may not have the stability ofthe normal shaving direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way oflimitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which likereferences indicate similar elements. It should be noted that referencesto “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily tothe same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of one embodiment of the rolling razor.

FIGS. 1B and 1C are side views of the method of operation of theembodiment of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view of a first alternate embodiment of therolling razor.

FIG. 3A is a cut-away side view of a second alternate embodiment of therolling razor.

FIG. 3B is an assembly view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a cut-away side view of a unidirectional embodiment of theembodiment of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 is an assembly view of a third alternate embodiment of therolling razor.

FIG. 5 is an assembly view of a fourth alternate embodiment of therolling razor.

FIG. 6 is an assembly view of a fifth alternate embodiment of therolling razor.

FIG. 7 is a cut-away side view of a sixth alternate embodiment of therolling razor.

FIG. 8A is a cut-away side view of a seventh alternate embodiment of therolling razor.

FIG. 8B is a cut-away side view of an alternate embodiment of theembodiment of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the ring handle for the rollingrazor.

FIG. 10 is a left-side view of a razor of one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12 & 13 illustrate the manipulation of the razor from a downstroke to an up stroke for the embodiment of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1A aperspective view of the rolling razor generally designated 10. Thisfirst embodiment is a disposable razor for shaving. The non-replaceableshaving blades 11 are affixed to the front and back sides 12 & 13 of thebi-directional shaving head 14 which is connected to the ring shapedhandle 15 via a short planar member forming a neck 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 1B, 1C and 1D there is illustrated two side viewsand one front view of the method of operation of the preferredembodiment 10. A user will hold the rolling razor 10 in his hand 400 byinserting his index finger 401 inside the ring shaped handle 15. Thethumb 402 and middle finger 403 rest against opposite sides of the outersurface of the ring-shaped handle 15 and are used to incrementallycontrol the rotation of the bi-directional shaving head 14 in relationto the index finger 401, by rolling the ring shaped handle 15 with thethumb 402 and middle finger 403.

FIG. 1B illustrates a downward stroke from neck 301 to chin 302 alongthe line of arrow 200. The downward stroke is a pulling stroke with thebi-directional shaving head 14 following the hand 400 and the blades 11attached to the front side 12 of the bi-directional shaving head 14 aredrawn against the beard.

FIG. 1C illustrates the return stroke which may occur without liftingthe bi-directional shaving head 14 from the face 300. The return strokealong the line of arrow 201 is accomplished by completing the downwardstroke and then incrementally rolling the bi-directional shaving head 14around the index finger 401, (with the help of the thumb 402 and middlefinger 403 illustrated in FIG. 1D), until the blades 11 affixed to theback side 13 are placed in contact with the face 300. The return strokeis shown from the chin 302 to neck 301 and is also a pulling stroke withthe bi-directional shaving head 14 once again following the hand 400. Itis envisioned that without departing from the intended scope of thisinvention, a plethora of blade and ring shaped handle configurations maybe used as the support for a unidirectional or bi-directional shavinghead and method. A significant feature of this invention is theincremental movement of the arched, or circular handle, with bladesattached, around one or more fingers.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a cut-away side view of afirst alternate embodiment of the rolling razor, generally designated20. This embodiment shows a disposable razor for shaving. Thenon-replaceable shaving blades 11 are affixed to the front 21 of theunidirectional shaving head 22 which is connected to the ring shapedhandle 15 via a short neck 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, there is illustrated a cut-away side view of asecond alternate embodiment of the rolling razor, generally designated30. This embodiment shows a razor for shaving, which uses replaceableshaving blades. The shaving blades 31 are affixed to the front 32 andrear 33 of the replaceable bi-directional shaving head 34 which isconnected to the ring shaped handle 15 via a latch and catch arrangement35 & 36 between the base of the replaceable bi-directional shaving head34 and the top of the short neck 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3B there is illustrated an assembly view of theembodiment of FIG. 3A, generally designated 30. The latch 35 on the baseof the replaceable bi-directional shaving head 34 mates with the catch36 on the top of the short neck 16, by sliding the replaceablebi-directional shaving head cartridge 34 along the line of arrow 202 anew cartridge may be added. A stopping catch (not shown) limits theinsertion of the replaceable bi-directional shaving head cartridge 34 toa pre-selected distance on the short neck 16. Reversing the processallows the user to replace the replaceable bi-directional shaving headcartridge 34.

Referring now to FIG. 3C, there is illustrated a cut-away side view of aunidirectional embodiment of the embodiment of FIG. 3A, generallydesignated 40. This embodiment shows a unidirectional razor for shaving,with a replaceable shaving head cartridge. The shaving blades 41 areaffixed to the front 42 of the replaceable unidirectional shaving headcartridge 43 which is connected to the ring shaped handle 15 via a latchand catch arrangement 44 & 45 between the base of the replaceableunidirectional shaving head cartridge 43 and the top of the short neck16.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is illustrated an assembly view of a thirdalternate embodiment of the rolling razor, generally designated 50. Inthis embodiment a dual latch and catch system is used to support twoopposite slide-on blade cartridges 51. Each slide-on blade cartridges 51has a pair of razor blades 52 affixed therein, a latch 53 formed at thebase of each slide-on blade cartridges 51 mates with the a catch 54affixed to, or formed as part of, the top of the short neck 16, bysliding the slide-on blade cartridges 51 along the line of arrow 203each new cartridge may be added. A stopping catch (not shown) limits theinsertion of the slide-on blade cartridges 51 to a pre-selected distanceon the short neck 16. Reversing the process allows the user to replacethe slide-on blade cartridges 51. The short neck 16 is formed as partof, or attached to, the ring shaped handle 15 thereby completing thedevice.

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is illustrated an assembly view of afourth alternate embodiment of the rolling razor, generally designated60. In this embodiment a dual horizontal latch and catch system 61,which mates with a Schick™ refill cartridge, is used to support twoopposite latch-on refill cartridges 62. The dual horizontal latch andcatch system 61 is known art and therefore a detailed description of itsconstruction and usage is not included. Each refill cartridge 62 has apair of razor blades 63 affixed therein. Each refill cartridge 62 mateswith a horizontal latch and catch 61 thereby affixing the refillcartridges 62 to one end of a short hollow neck 64. Within the shorthollow neck 64 is housed a part of the dual horizontal latch and catchsystem 61. A mounting lever 65, also known art, extends on each side ofthe short hollow neck 64. When engaged the mounting lever 65 urges amovement of the connected horizontal latch and catch to either grasp orrelease the refill cartridge 62. The short hollow neck 64 is affixed atone end to the ring shaped handle 15.

Referring now to FIG. 6 there is illustrated an assembly view of a fifthalternate embodiment of the rolling razor, generally designated 70. Inthis embodiment a dual vertical latch and catch system 71, which mateswith a Gillette™ refill cartridge, is used to support two oppositelatch-on refill cartridges 72. The dual vertical latch and catch system71, is known art and therefore a detailed description of itsconstruction and usage is not included. Each refill cartridge 72 has apair of razor blades 73 affixed therein. Each refill cartridge 72 mateswith a vertical latch and catch 71 thereby affixing the refillcartridges 72 to one end of a short hollow neck 74. Within the shorthollow neck 74 is housed a part of the dual vertical latch and catchsystem 71. A mounting switch 75, also known art, extends on each side ofthe short hollow neck 74. When engaged the mounting switch 75 urges amovement of the connected vertical latch and catch to either grasp orrelease the refill cartridge 72. The short hollow neck 74 is affixed atone end to the ring shaped handle 15.

Referring now to FIG. 7 there is illustrated a cut-away side view of asixth alternate embodiment of the rolling razor, generally designated80. This embodiment shows an ovoid ring handle 81 with a bi-directionalshaving head 82. The ovoid handle 81, which allows the user to choosethe small radius curvature side of the ovoid handle 83 or the largerradius curvature side of the ovoid handle 84 depending on which bestfits their hand and fingers. It is envisioned that a unidirectionalshaving head mounted to the ovoid handle 81, would fall within theintended scope of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B there are illustrated cut-away sideviews of a seventh alternate embodiment of the rolling razor, generallydesignated 90. Each embodiment shows a partial ring handle 91 with abi-directional shaving head 92. The partial ring handle 91 may be openon the (FIG. 8A) or open at the bottom (FIG. 8B). It is envisioned thata unidirectional shaving head mounted to the partial ring handle 91,would fall within the intended scope of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 9 there is illustrated an alternate embodiment ofthe ring handle for the rolling razor generally designated 100. In oneembodiment, the handle casing 101 is an injection molded part 101.Various suitable thermoplastics are known in the art. Alternatively,handle casing may be machined from various plastics or metal such asaluminum. In one embodiment, handle casing defines a substantiallydiamond shaped volume. A short neck 102 (partially revealed in thisillustration) extends from the handle casing 101 and the shaving head(shown in FIG. 10) is affixed thereto. A series of griping guides 103are formed through each side of the handle casing 101 and a pair ofmolded soft gripping members 104 with a gripping surface of a pluralityof gripping ridges 105, each of a size and shape to extend through thegriping guides 103 and are inserted in to the gripping guides 103 fromthe inside of the ring towards the outside. In another embodiment,gripping guides 103 do not perforate the handle casing 101. Rather, aplurality of indentations are formed on casing 101 to which grippingridges 105 may be adhered.

A comfort sleeve 106, molded from a relatively soft and tactile materialforms an internal gripping surface. In one embodiment, comfort sleeve106 may be fitted neatly within the handle casing 101 and prohibitsremoval of the soft gripping members 104 by placing the soft grippingmembers 104 in a grip catch 107. In one embodiment, both gripping member104 and comfort sleeve 106 are molded from an elastomeric material. Inone embodiment, the comfort sleeve is extruded rather than molded. Inone embodiment, both comfort sleeve 106 has gripping ridges formedintegrally thereon to extend through gripping guides 103. Comfort sleeve106 defines a substantially cylindrical volume to receive an indexfinger of a user. The inner surface of comfort sleeve 106 is typicallysubstantially smooth to facilitate rotation of the assembly about thefinger during use. Again, to facilitate rotation during use, thecylindrical diameter should exceed the expected finger diameter andavoid a snug fit. A diameter of 0.8 inches has been found suitable formost users. Different diameter may be achieved by varying the wallthickness of the comfort sleeve.

FIG. 10 is a left-side view of a razor of one embodiment of theinvention. While FIG. 10 shows certain specific dimensions, otherdimensions are within the scope and contemplation of the invention.Handle casing 101 defines a volume which is occupied by comfort sleeve106. Comfort sleeve 106 defines an arcuate volume 110, in this example asubstantially cylindrical volume. Substantially cylindrical volume 110may have a diameter of 0.8 inches in one embodiment. Gripping ridges 105protrude from both sides of handle casing 101. Handle casing 101 definesa tail 112 extending from the body region. Tail 112 provides anextension from the arcuate volume 110 which permits improved leverage byeither user's middle finger or thumb to facilitate rotation about anindex finger occupying the volume 110. In one embodiment, the razor issymmetric right to left and front to back. This facilitates use byeither hand and ensure proper orientation regardless of direction offinger insertion.

Handle casing 101 also defines a short neck 102 extending from a bodyregion of the casing 101. A first and second receiver 130, 132 arecoupled to the neck 102. The receivers 130, 132 may be any of the typesdiscussed above for receiving various types of existing bladeassemblies. As used herein, a blade assembly includes at least one razorblade suitable for removing hair growth. A first blade assembly 114 maybe coupled to a first receiver 130 and have a face 116 defining theplane along which cutting may occur. Receiver 130 may permit bladeassembly 114 to pivot or may retain it in a fixed orientation relativeto the neck 102. A release button 122, it is provided to release firstblade assembly 114. Receiver 130 may include a spring bias within theneck to cause the receiver 130 to engage and retain blade assembly 114when the release button 122 is not depressed.

In one embodiment, in steady state, face 116 of blade assembly 114defines an angle of 30 degrees with the vertical. As used herein,“vertical” is defined based on the orientation of FIG. 10. A verticalplane is any plane that would be parallel to a symmetrical bisector inFIG. 10. Similarly, receiver 132 retains a second blade assembly 118having a face 120. The discussion above with respect to the first bladeassembly applies.

In one embodiment, the maximum cross dimension of the handle casing 101is greater than the maximum cross dimension at the first and secondblade assemblies. While the symmetric embodiment is shown and describedit is within the scope and contemplation of the invention of the razorto be asymmetric. For example, it is within the scope and contemplationof the invention to have only a single receiver 130 and only a firstblade assembly attached thereto. It is also within the scope andcontemplation of the invention for the arcuate volume 110 to havedifferent radii of curvature from one side to the other to accommodatedifferent finger sizes as described with reference as FIG. 7 above. Itis further within the scope and contemplation of the invention thatdifferent sides may have different numbers and/or spacings of grippingridges 105. It is also envisioned that the tail 114 may be morepronounced and some embodiments and/or differently shaped. It is alsowithin the scope and contemplation of the invention for one or two bladeassemblies to be fixedly and permanently mounted to the neck.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 10. Identifiable inthis view is a second release button 124 corresponding to the secondblade assembly 118 (shown in FIG. 10). It is also within the scope andcontemplation of the invention to provide a single release for bothassemblies or no release button thereby requiring manual removal such asif a receiver of one of the types described above with reference toFIGS. 3A-3C and 4. Handle casing 101 defines a control groove 126 intowhich a middle finger or thumb (the controlling digits) as the case maybe, may seat when the opposing blade assembly is engaged in a cuttingstroke as described in further detail with reference to FIG. 12 below.

FIGS. 12 & 13 illustrate the manipulation of the razor from a firstdirection of stroke to a second direction of stroke for the embodimentof FIG. 10. This directional change may be, for example, down stroke toup stroke or left stroke to right stroke. In use a user typicallyinserts his index finger 401 up to the first knuckle into the arcuatevolume 110. The index finger alone does not retain the razor thereon.Rather, pressure between the thumb 102 and either the index finger 401or opposing middle finger 403 retains the razor on the index finger 401.The index finger 401 provides an axis for rotation responsive topressure applied by the adjacent controlling digits. Keeping the razortoward the distal end of the inserted finger permits finger tip controlby the controlling digits. Thus, for example, control of rotation,pressure, and face pitch are derived from the finger tips of middlefinger 403and thumb 402. As shown during the initial down stroke, theuser's thumb 402 tends to migrate down towards the tail 112 while themiddle finger 403 seats in the control groove 126. At the conclusion ofthe down stroke, the middle finger migrates towards the tail 112 whilethe thumb migrates toward the control groove 126 with concurrentrotation about the index finger 401 inserted into the arcuate volume110. On a subsequent up stroke, the thumb 402 will seat in controlgroove 126. This seating of a controlling digit in a control groove 126as shown provides for a very precise control of the pressure and fineangle at the face of the opposing blade assembly. The other of thecontrolling digit will typically migrate down onto the tail 112 oppositethe control groove, thereby providing good rotational stability andenhancing the fine rotational control. A similar pattern of fingermovement is followed for a right handed user going from left stroke toright stroke or a left handed user going from right stroke to leftstroke.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evidentthat various modifications and changes can be made thereto withoutdeparting from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense.

1. A shaving razor comprising: a body defining an arcuate outer surface;a neck extending from the body; a first blade assembly having a facedefining a first plane, the first blade assembly coupled to the neck;and a second blade assembly having a face defining a second plane, thesecond blade assembly coupled to the neck.
 2. The shaving razor of claim1, further comprising: a first release button and a second releasebutton to release the first blade assembly and second blade assemblyrespectively.
 3. The shaving razor of claim 1, further comprising: atail extending from the body.
 4. The shaving razor of claim 3, whereinthe body, neck and tail comprise: a thermoplastic.
 5. The shaving razorof claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of gripping ridges disposealong the body.
 6. The shaving razor of claim 1, wherein the neckdefines a control groove into which a controlling digit may seat.
 7. Theshaving razor of claim 1, wherein the razor is symmetric about two axes.8. A shaving razor comprising: a body having an axis and defining anarcuate outer surface, the body having a first side and a second side tobe engaged in opposition by a first digit and a second digitrespectively of a user, such that the first digit and second digitcontrol rotation about the axis; a neck extending from one end of thebody; and a receiver coupled to the neck to retain a first bladeassembly having a face defining a first plane.
 9. The shaving razor ofclaim 8, further comprising: a tail extending from a second end of thebody opposite the neck.
 10. The shaving razor of claim 8, furthercomprising: a first release button and a second release button torelease the first blade assembly and second blade assembly respectively.11. The shaving razor of claim 8 further comprising: a plurality ofgripping ridges dispose along the body.
 12. The shaving razor of claim8, wherein the neck defines a control groove into which a controllingdigit may seat.
 13. A shaving razor comprising: a body defining anarcuate outer surface having an axis; a neck extending from the body; afirst blade assembly coupled to the neck; and a tail extending from thebody opposite the neck to improve rotational leverage of a first digitor an oppositely directed second digit controlling rotation about theaxis.
 14. The shaving razor of claim 13, further comprising: a secondreceiver coupled to the neck to retain a second blade assembly.
 15. Theshaving razor of claim 13, further comprising: a first release buttonand a second release button to release the first blade assembly andsecond blade assembly respectively.
 16. The shaving razor of claim 13further comprising: a plurality of gripping ridges dispose along thebody.
 17. The shaving razor of claim 13, wherein the neck defines acontrol groove into which a controlling digit may seat.